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AIR-CON vs CLASSIC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR-CON model beats 45% and a typical CLASSIC model 41%. AIR-CON rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AIR-CON

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

41 models listed

CLASSIC

41%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

40 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAIR-CON: Beats 57%CLASSIC: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR-CON: Beats 33%CLASSIC: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR-CON: Beats 45%CLASSIC: Beats 37%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR-CON: Beats 42%CLASSIC: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR-CON: Beats 39%CLASSIC: Beats 40%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    AIR-CON
    44%
    CLASSIC
    65%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR-CON
    34%
    CLASSIC
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR-CON
    0%
    CLASSIC
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR-CON
    0%
    CLASSIC
    20%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

AIR-CON

  1. 1AASDCI7H4R30with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R30-SAIR-CON2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 37.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.14 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    59.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 60
  2. 2AVPI7H4T36AIR-CON3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.3score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 52
  3. 3ASGCI8H4M36with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M36AIR-CON3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 47

CLASSIC

  1. 1GMRSHC36AS4CLASSIC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 66
  2. 2TMRHC36AS4CLASSIC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 47.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    53.0score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 58

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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